Rise fall saws

A rise and fall saw follows a cycle of operations until the cut is complete. A clamp holds timber against the table, while a circular blade lifts to cut through it. Once the cut is complete, the blade retracts, the clamp lifts, and the timber can be moved, ready for the next cycle.

While this guidance has not been updated to reflect current work health and safety legislation (the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and regulations), it may still contain relevant information and practices to keep workers and others healthy and safe.

Please read this guidance in conjunction with all relevant industry standards that apply to you as a PCBU. This guidance will be progressively reviewed and either updated, replaced with other guidance, or revoked.

A rise and fall saw is used to cut knots and other imperfections from lengths of timber, as well as cutting timber for items like pallets and packing cases.

Hazard

Controls

USE dust extraction equipment to minimise dust getting in the operator’s breathing zone.

ALWAYS WEAR eye protection.

ALWAYS USE respiratory protection.

Hazard

Slips, trips and falls

Harm

Trapping

Cuts

Bruising

Controls

KEEP up-to-date housekeeping procedures.

KEEP the area around saws clear of slip and trip hazards.

Task – Maintenance, cleaning & repairs

Hazard

Contact with exposed blades

Harm

Deep cuts or amputation

Controls

LOCK-OUT all power supplies before maintenance, cleaning and repairs, or adjusting blades and guards.

ENCLOSE saw blades in a guard to prevent access until the blade stops moving.

Blades may be exposed when operators open the cabinet beneath the saw table for cleaning or blade replacement.

Figure 2: example of longer tunnel guard

Figure 3: example of shorter tunnel guard

Figure 4: finger guard (out-feed only)

In-feed/out-feed options

Tunnel guard – option A (refer to figure 2)

Minimum tunnel guard length should be no less than 850 mm.

Maximum safe gap should not be more than 120 mm.

This option complies with AS/NZS 4024.1 and AS 1473.3.

Tunnel guard – option B (refer to figure 3)

Only use this option if option A is not practicable.

Minimum tunnel guard length should be no less than 450 mm.

Maximum safe gap should not be more than 51 mm.

This option does not comply with AS/NZS 4024.1 or AS 1473.3; however, it does comply with WorkSafe’s ergonomics of machine guarding guide which allows guarding to meet minimum requirements where other options are not practicable in a particular operation, eg manual feed or cutting short pieces.

Tunnel guard – option C (refer to figure 1)

If options A and B are not practicable, this guarding option with two-hand control may be used.

A fixed or movable guard interlocked with the saw blade rise and fall may be used.

Operations should be restricted to a single operator.

Use both hands together to operate the saw blade control (anti-tie down type is required in Standard AS 4024.2601).

Minimum tunnel guard length should be 300 mm.

Maximum safe gap should not be more than 200 mm.

This option complies with AS/NZS 4024.1 series and AS 1473.3.

If the above options are not practicable, then options D and E may be considered.

Finger guard – option D (refer to figure 4)

Minimum distances between the fingers and the clamp or saw should be 120 mm (refer AS/NZS 4024.1 series).

Out-feed fingers and spacing should be no less than 12 mm and no greater than 20 mm (refer diagram below) and should extend the full width of the bench unless otherwise guarded.

Gap between bottom of finger and table top should not be more than 20 mm.

Finger should open outwards only and should be prevented from returning past vertical.

Finger guard – front elevation

Trip guard with failsafe interlock – option E

Note: In-feed and out-feed options can be interchangeable to meet production requirements (except option C).

For options C, D and E, it is recommended that duty holders engage a competent person with machine guarding expertise (ie a certified machinery safety expert or mechanical engineer) to assist in undertaking a risk assessment to confirm the safeguard control (including failsafe interlock if any) comply with appropriate standards to ensure that it is adequate and safe.